I'm loving the AA love of late but, seriously, he is a really great role/depth player. Every dog has his day and AA is having his right now but I don't think that is consistent production moving forward.

That lineup can contend against any team in the East (well maybe minus Anderson and sub in T. Ross keeping in mind that they'll need atleast a year to gel), in a seven game series with the exception of Miami and a healthy Chicago. You put Gay in at SF and keep Bargnani at PF and you become suceptible against every defensive minded team in the East (Indiana, Boston etc..), especially in the playoffs when the game slows down and teams start focusing on D.

I have to ask you how a team with only one guy that can hit a 3 could possibly win a playoff series. All you'd have to do to stop the Raps with Smith instead of Bargs would be to pack the paint and watch those long 2s clang off the rim all day. I'm assuming Fields continues to play the 3 in that scenario - we have no idea when Ross will be ready to play the wing.

To win in the playoffs you need both good O AND good D. I have more faith in Casey's ability to get guys like DD and Gay to defend than I do in his ability to design an offense that could compensate for a lack of scorers.

Amir, Lucas, Anderson and Gray would be more than capable of relieving the starters. With a starting unit like that, a deep bench is much less of a concern. The starters would be playing 35+ minutes per night.

I have to ask you how a team with only one guy that can hit a 3 could possibly win a playoff series. All you'd have to do to stop the Raps with Smith instead of Bargs would be to pack the paint and watch those long 2s clang off the rim all day. I'm assuming Fields continues to play the 3 in that scenario - we have no idea when Ross will be ready to play the wing.

To win in the playoffs you need both good O AND good D. I have more faith in Casey's ability to get guys like DD and Gay to defend than I do in his ability to design an offense that could compensate for a lack of scorers.

Calderon, JL3, T. Ross. We aren't subject to playing the starting 5 at all times are we?

Calderon, JL3, T. Ross. We aren't subject to playing the starting 5 at all times are we?

You'd give those 3 big minutes in a playoff series? 2 of them play the same position as the one guy that can hit the 3, and playing 2 of Lowry, Calderon and Lucas in a small ball lineup would instantly negate any defensive gains Smith brings.

I respectfully disagree with you. Having Smith does not account for all the benefits a deep bench has. In fact an arguement could be made that we would be a lot worse, and certainly 1 injury away from the lottery.

I respectfully disagree with you. Having Smith does not account for all the benefits a deep bench has. In fact an arguement could be made that we would be a lot worse, and certainly 1 injury away from the lottery.

Smith alone doesn't replace a deep bench. But Smith AND Gay? That's as fierce a starting unit we can ever dream of.

Injuries are a worry. But no more so than any elite teams who rely heavily on their star players.

Dunno if this is the thread for this, but id rather move bargs and whoever (Calderon?) for a real post playing big like Jefferson. Being able to throw the ball in and get points (nevermind the rebounding) is key when the team is struggling to score. I salvitate at the number of putback baskets we'd get between A-Jeff and flying V.

Jefferson has his own defensive deficiencies but what he provides in rebounding and scoring in the paint i feel negates it enough.

Dunno if this is the thread for this, but id rather move bargs and whoever (Calderon?) for a real post playing big like Jefferson. Being able to throw the ball in and get points (nevermind the rebounding) is key when the team is struggling to score. I salvitate at the number of putback baskets we'd get between A-Jeff and flying V.

Jefferson has his own defensive deficiencies but what he provides in rebounding and scoring in the paint i feel negates it enough.

Well that solves it then. We'll get 4 teams in on this trade and in the end the Raps will have:

Dunno if this is the thread for this, but id rather move bargs and whoever (Calderon?) for a real post playing big like Jefferson. Being able to throw the ball in and get points (nevermind the rebounding) is key when the team is struggling to score. I salvitate at the number of putback baskets we'd get between A-Jeff and flying V.

Jefferson has his own defensive deficiencies but what he provides in rebounding and scoring in the paint i feel negates it enough.

This strategy seemed to work well for the Pacers (by acquiring West). Jefferson might realistically be available this year being an unrestricted free agent....and with Utah being pretty high on Favours and Kanter.

This strategy seemed to work well for the Pacers (by acquiring West). Jefferson might realistically be available this year being an unrestricted free agent....and with Utah being pretty high on Favours and Kanter.

Millsap is available too, apparently for a guard. Kleiza to Denver, Chandler to Utah, Millsap to Toronto. Add some draft picks and/or cash, as needed to appropriately sweeten the pot and get it done.